Carbon Steel Casting: Grades, Alloys, Properties & Carbon Steel vs Cast Steel

2023.6.17

Carbon steel can be used in casting, but it is less popular than other materials, today let’s see carbon steel casting grades, properties and difference between carbon steel and cast steel.

Can Carbon Steel Be Used in Casting?

Carbon steel can be used in casting, but it is less commonly used than other materials like iron, aluminum, or bronze. Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon and can also contain other elements like manganese or silicon, which can affect its properties. One of the main challenges in casting carbon steel is its high melting point, which requires a very hot furnace or melting process. Additionally, carbon steel can be more prone to cracking or warping during the cooling process, which can impact the final product’s quality and accuracy. Another consideration when casting carbon steel is its propensity to react with the surrounding atmosphere to form surface scale or oxides, which can negatively impact the final surface finish and require additional post-processing steps.

Carbon Steel Casting Grades & Alloys

– ASTM A27 Grade 60-30: This grade is commonly used for general-purpose carbon steel casting applications and has moderate strength and impact resistance.

– ASTM A216 Grade WCB: This is a widely used grade for higher temperature applications that require good strength and toughness.

– ASTM A352 Grade LCB: This grade is designed for low temperature and corrosive service conditions and exhibits good toughness.

– ASTM A352 Grade LCC: This grade has high strength and corrosion resistance and is used in industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, and chemical processing.

– ASTM A148 Grade 90-60: This grade is used for high-stress applications that require good strength and toughness, such as in heavy equipment and machinery.

Carbon Steel Casting Properties

– Strength: Carbon steel casting can have high strength and resistance to wear and abrasion, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications.

– Hardness: Carbon steel casting typically has a moderate to high hardness, making it durable and resistant to deformation.

– Machinability: Carbon steel casting can be more difficult to machine than some other materials due to its hardness, but it can still be machined with appropriate tools and techniques.

– Heat resistance: Carbon steel casting can withstand high temperatures and is commonly used in high-temperature applications such as furnace parts and heat exchangers.

– Corrosion resistance: Carbon steel casting is vulnerable to corrosion, but the addition of certain alloying elements such as chromium can improve its resistance to corrosion.

– Cost-effectiveness: Carbon steel casting is relatively inexpensive compared to other materials, making it a popular choice for various applications.

Difference Between Cast Steel and Carbon Steel

1. Production process: Cast steel is produced by melting iron and adding a small amount of carbon and other alloying elements, whereas carbon steel is produced by adding carbon to iron during the steelmaking process.

2. Composition: Cast steel typically contains a higher percentage of alloying elements, such as chromium, nickel, or molybdenum, than carbon steel, which can impact its mechanical and physical properties. Carbon steel usually has a lower percentage of alloying elements and a higher percentage of carbon than cast steel.

3. Properties: Cast steel tends to have better impact resistance and ductility than carbon steel, which can be useful in applications that require a combination of strength and toughness. Carbon steel has higher hardness and tensile strength than cast steel, making it often used in applications requiring hardness and wear resistance.

4. Uses: Cast steel is commonly used in applications that require high strength and toughness, such as heavy machinery parts, tools, and automotive parts. Carbon steel is often used in structural applications, pipeline systems, and building and construction.